Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio, one of the world’s top female cyclists, has put off her retirement to join AG Insurance-NXG, a Belgian-based professional cycling team.
The 33-year-old South African had been planning to retire at the end of the 2020 season after a 15-year career that included two stints with Lotto Soudal Ladies and a season with Cervelo-Bigla.
However, she will now continue racing for at least one more year with AG Insurance-NXG, which she joined in 2019.
“I’m really happy to be able to continue my career for another year with AG Insurance-NXG,” Moolman-Pasio said in a team press release.
“I had originally planned to retire at the end of this season, but I’m still motivated and I’m enjoying my racing. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together in 2020.”
Moolman-Pasio, who has been a professional since 2006, has enjoyed a successful career thus far, winning stage races such as the Giro Rosa, the Vuelta a El Salvador, and the Tour de Feminin.
She has also finished on the podium at some of the world’s biggest one-day races, including the Flèche Wallonne, the Amstel Gold Race, and the Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
most recently, she finished second overall at the 2019 Giro Rosa, one of the biggest stage races on the women’s calendar.
“I’m grateful to AG Insurance-NXG for giving me the opportunity to continue my career,” Moolman-Pasio said.
“I’m looking forward to helping the team achieve its goals and to continue to develop as a rider.”
AG Insurance-NXG is a new team on the women’s WorldTour circuit, having only been founded in 2019.
The team is based in Belgium and is sponsored by AG Insurance, a leading Belgian insurance company.
“We are very happy that Ashleigh has decided to continue her career with us,” team manager Christa Degraeve said.
“She is a great rider and a great person, and we are very lucky to have her on our team.”
AG Insurance-NXG will race at the highest level of the sport in 2020, competing in the WorldTour and at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
The team’s roster includes some of the world’s top riders, such as reigning world champion Anna van der Breggen, Olympic gold medalist Marianne Vos, and former world champion Lizzie Deignan.
“I’m really looking forward to racing with AG Insurance-NXG in 2020,” Moolman-Pasio said.
“It’s a great team with some really strong riders. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”